[kayakcruser]

HEY WHAT DO U GUYS THINK I SHOULD GET??? WHY OR WHY NOT.

[Bob Lang]

That is the same question I am asking myself. Throw in a U-Boat to wonder about. I need to get into small areas that most boats will not get into without getting into trouble. With my back held together with a few bolts I cannot lug a lot of weight. I am thinking rowing would help strengthen my back muscles, but I could wind up hurting too much to fish. A U-Boat looks to be the answer, but what about snakes (around here that can be a problem)?

A pontoon boat seems to be the best answer if the rowing doesn't become a problem. A kayak would get me into places a normal boat will not, but I fear tipping over while trying to land a fish.

I am really leaning towards a pontoon boat. One is up and out of the water pretty much. It can get one into areas a bass boat can't get you into. It is more stable than a kayak. The extra weight may not be a real problem if I can get my pickup truck close enough to where I plan to fish. Rowing is supposed to be good for my back. I can carry more gear if needed. And, if it starts getting colder one is still fairly dry while fishing. Cost is about the same as a kayak too.

Now how do I tell the wife after she just got me new chest waders and felt bottom boots for my birthday today?

[fshfanatic]

I have an 8ft pontoon and wouldnt trade it for the world.

[Joni]

A few years ago, I would say definitly pontoon. You got the flippers to kick around, the oars to get you to spots fast, or you can put an electric motor.
Kayak, you have to row and that WAS it, but now they have the peddle, or paddle Kayak, that you sit and peddle. Cool! Gets you completely out of the water for the real cold times (or snakes) and leaves your hands free for fishing. Not sure about the motor thing on them however, but where there is a will.......
I have two pontoons, one 11 1/2' long and one 4' long and I love them both.
As far as tubes, I have a SFC right now and I am trying to come up with the money for the Freestyle H3. That is the only tube I would ever consider anymore.

[Jakeway]

I've seen pictures of pontoons with hard plastic hulls, rather than inflatibles. I can't find them in catalogs, though.

Any brand names or opions on them? Or is pumping up an inflatible Ick and Queazy?

[kayakcruser]

well i really want a pontoon but my mom will not let me get anything inflatable so is there such thing as a hardshell personal pontoon???

[BigCliff]

Pontoons are more stable and give you a higher sitting position while fishing. This makes spotting fish and fly-casting easier. Kayaks are faster and tougher. I would rather fish out of a pontoon, I would rather move from spot to spot in a kayak.

For those interested in a non-inflatable personal pontoon craft, a Hobie Float Cat is what you are after. http://www.hobiecat.com/fishing/models_floatcat75.html The hard polyethylene pontoons are much tougher than the inflatable ones and track a bit better. The downside to them is that they cant be collapsed down like inflatable ones, and they don't do well at all in any sort of rapids. They're kinda pricey too.

Bob I would suggest a Perception Swifty sit inside kayak for you. Its short, stout, stable, cheap, light, and really well made. http://www.ems.com/catalog/product_d...cid=GoogleBase Its width makes it quite stable. (you can also look at any kayak that has a weight capacity of 350# and know that its stable) The fact that you're inside it eliminates the need to worry about dangling your feet in snake-infested water too. You could also move it around on grass, sand or mud without having to lift it, saving your back. Wouldn't recommend trying this on any paved surface with a kayak, or on any surface with an inflatable

[justfishing55]

Hey KC,
I fished out of a kayak for about 4 years, a 16ft pamlico and recently sold it. I'm looking to get a float boat. The kayak was cumbersome, tough to fish in rivers, and not real stable. I'm looking at an ODC, Dave Scadden, or Buck's Bag. I'll let you know what I get.